Peter the Great and Religion

It encouraged xenophobia and the superiority of Russia-making Russians anti-foreigners as the church was the basis of their lives. It also made it harder for Peter to westernise, for example wearing beards was religious symbol yet not very Western.

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What did Peter wish to tap into?

The Church's wealth. The Church had lots of land and Serfs. Control over the Church and it's money could aid his reforms.

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What did Peter fear and dislike?

The power of the Church. The Patrairch was the 2nd most powerful man in Russia and eg. Patriarch Adrian had interfered in his life by critiscizing his friends, his treatment of Eudoxia, and even his appearance.

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Who did Peter have a very negative view on, and why?

The clergy because he thought them to be idle and ignorant. He wanted them to be useful.

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What did 4 things did Peter do to reform?

Reduce the power of the patriarchy, Make the Church an arm of the state, Exploit their funds, Increase toleration of other Christian faiths.

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How did he reduce the power of the Patriarch?

When Adriandied in 1700, Peter instead appointed Stefan Yavorsky as a 'temporary guardian' of the Church with much reduced powers, instead of an actual Patriarch. He later created the Holy Synod, abolish the role of Patriarch altogether.

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How did he make the Church an arm of Government?

With the publication of the Spiritual Regulation and the creation of the Holy Synod in 1721. The Holy Synod were supervised by one of Peter's advisers and would oversee and implement his religious reforms- destroying the Church's independence.

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How did he exploit the Church's funds

He created the Monastyrksii Prikaz to administer Church finances- allowing him to extract its wealth. The Senate declared in 1711, monasteries with less than 30 monks would be closed. Monks' income became fixed at 10 roubles a month.

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What did he used the Church's wealth for in 1706

Used it to open a military school and surgical hospital in Moscow

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In what way did he increase toleration?

1707 decree- religious toleration for all non-Orthodox Christian faiths. Allowed mix marriages and also still tolerated the Old Believers and the Lutherans in the North.

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What did he imProve about the clergy

standard of parish clergy, rooted out corruption making it more efficient and cost effective (this meant he could invest more in war)

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Which reforms remained virtually intact until 1917, and what did this show?

Ecclesiastical reforms, their longevity

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What _______ work of the church did Peter increase + what evidence is ther for this?

Missionary work. He instructed them to care for disabled soldiers and provide almshouses- by 1721 there were 31 almshouses for men and 62 for women

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What was good about the Church becoming an arm of government?

Peter had more control. In the past the Church's independence caused issues and tensions (eg. Alexis-Nikon) this no longer a problem- Peter in control

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What was bad about the Church becoming an arm of government?

Lost its independence and SPIRITUAL ROLE. Could no longer be a place of solace or refuge for ordinary Russian people.

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Why did Peter cause greaat offence to the Church/Religion/Russians?

Alienated traditionalists such as the Old Believers, inciting opposition (eg. with things like, Beard Tax (1705), All Drunken all JokingSynod of Fools and Jesters, religious toleration, extracting Church's funds)